I Wish to Live in a Pottery Barn! (my thoughts in a poem)

I wish to live in a Pottery Barn

 

And these are the things I would do

Kick off my shoes on the bound seagrass floor,

And put in a cd or two!

I’ll run through through displays with soft cushy rugs,

And land on a cushion or pillow,

Looking at sparkly Christmas décor,

And treasures made out of willow.

I’ll grab my festive red cambria mug,

And whip up a hot cup of joe

Turn on some Luke Bryan and sing like a star,

As I snuggle in my faux fur throw

Clutching the linens, blankets and wools,

Soaking up the fresh smell of pine

There is no doubt, with 5 in my house

Dreams of a clean house are just mine!

No cat or dog hair to wipe off my sleeve

The dishes and trinkets a’gleam

But remembering this is only my wish,

I don’t want to wake from this dream

Candles are burning, stockings are hung

Ornaments hang in the tree,

I want to return here every day

All I need is the key

I wish to live in a Pottery Barn

I’ve waited all year to be here

Please, tell me my ultimate wish will come true
 

On my favorite time of the year!

 

[Disclaimer: I'm no poet, several structural parts to my writing I'm sure are all destroyed. I was only having fun. I don't work for Pottery Barn or get anything from them for advertisement, they do a pretty good job on their own! Yes, I'd still love to live in one, or maybe my home decorated nice. In any event, don't judge too harshly please! :) Photo is courtesy of Pottery Barn online]



 



A little football fun!

A proud year for my husband and I as we watched our son play football. His freshman year was his first try at this, and found it to be so much fun. We always told him he had to be older. Baseball was his first love, and we didn't want bones crushed and growth plates destroyed. This year as a sophomore, shooting up to 6'3", he fell in love with being a wide receiver. I tried to get some of the plays, but wanted to share a couple..

One fun night, Dan Hampton from the 85 Chicago Bears showed up! He came to watch a friend, and was standing along the fence. He actually saw our son catch a touchdown. My husband was talking to him a little bit, and I was shocked he wasn't going crazy because his son just caught the ball and was running for a touchdown. So I yell at him from the stands, "What, now you can't yell?" He was no doubt playing it cool for the man. :)  That will forever be a great memory for him from this year!

Bottom of the screen, # 9 in purple.. shook off a few guys. SO fun!!



and another, bottom of screen in purple... nice yardage! We were screaming!



 and who's to say he can't tackle? LOL loved this.. he stalked his prey, then went for it!

Passion 268Generation

Do you ever feel like you just want someone you love to have a shot in the arm with what's good for them? Maybe something they are missing, not quite getting..etc. I would LOVE to send our oldest to the Passion 268Generation conferences! This is for ages 18-25. I just think this generation doesn't get what's really the most important thing in life, how to stand for what they believe, or how to show the fruit of what they believe!

Do you know of anyone who's been there? I'd love to hear about it. My heart desires the young adults and teens in this generation to fully grasp the importance of Jesus in their lives. To understand what it's like to follow him, and to be able to be an example of Him even when they think nobody is watching.

Flashback 11 years ago! Ashleigh Victoria "God Bless America"

Happy 4th of July! 

I thought I'd share a fun moment from 11 years ago.. our oldest at age 7. God Bless America!! 

[everyday matters BIBLE for women] - My Review

I received this everyday matters Bible for women a while back, meanwhile my life has been crazy to say the least. The reason I don't blog often, is how do I break it all down to one post here and there? I struggle with this.

I was excited to see the beautiful Bible when I opened up my box. It's bright and pretty! Opening it up, I did have a bit of difficulty finding the books. I quickly got used to the books being lightly labeled on the side instead of the expected top page. It is written in the NLT version for easy understanding.

Why is this Bible different? It introduces 24 spiritual practices with a distinctive icon. Some of
these include: Faith, Gratitude, Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Worship. When reading or studying, you can look for these icons in various chapters to help guide you along the specific practice you would like to focus on.

Everyday matters also features:

Everyday matters: Two page articles understanding or using spiritual practice

Everyday profiles: Stories of women just like us with challenges we face everyday.

Everyday reflection: How do we apply to our own lives?

Everyday Q & A: Common questions with practical answers of faith.

Articles and reflections from speakers you may have heard of such as Kay Warren, Bill Hybels, Joni Eareckson Tada, and so many more...

My thoughts owning this Bible: I would like the chapters more easily labeled, darker font would have done it. I appreciate the focus on character and devotional reading, and I love the stories from writers and speakers I have heard of - and not heard of before. I will research them further and seek out their work as well. Great Bible all in all. I would buy as a gift.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

"Growing Kids" by Kate Batastelli

My review: "Growing Kids" by Kate Batistelli

Let me just start out by saying, I don't think there was any way this was a coincidence that I signed on to review this book, Growing Kids by Kate Batistelli. We have way too many things in common. From the little girls we both have who wanted to dance and perform, to the singers that they are, to the transition and struggles that come in between teen-to-adulthood.. but wait. Here's where my story continues, and Kate has already journeyed.

Kate Batistelli is a wife, author, speaker, blogger, former Broadway actress, and mom to one of Christian music’s most celebrated new recording artists—Grammy-nominated, Christian contemporary singer-songwriter Francesca Batistelli. She provides much needed focus and insight for any parent. She not only tells the story of raising her daughter, Francesca, but dives into important reasons why we should be strong in our own walk with the Lord.

ISBN: 967-1-61638-654-2 | List Price: $14.99 | Format: Softcover | Page Count: 238
purchase here on Amazon or her website

Kate has made it through the years of raising a child, and has so much to share that will work in your hearts continuously.  It made me laugh as there were stories for all of us to relate to, and yet there were plenty of tears as I reflected on my parenting skills. Not that I've done it all wrong, in some ways I think so, but who doesn't think that as a parent? She gives much insight to drawing on God's promises, and finding ways to deliver them to your kids. And above all? Pray. Speak truth over your kids! Be an example for them to follow even when it's not the easiest.

I planned on reading this in couple days, but distractions and family matters deterred me. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I could take one chapter at a time and digest it. There are so many amazing verses and thoughts that will keep your mind going all day and week long. I not only felt the emotion of the stories from Kate and some of her friends, but I was overwhelmed with God's grace and love towards me.

Chapters that really spoke to my heart were:

The Power of a Parent's Words: “If you could see your words come to life as they came out of your mouth, what you would say, and just as importantly, what wouldn’t you say?”
Be Available:  Parents have precious few years to inluence their values, help shape their dreams, and model the moral code and work ethic we live by. We shouldn’t let anything take precedence over spending time with them. Our priorities must include our children, especially while they still live under our roof, absorbing the most important inluence in their young lives—ours!
...and so much more!

I love the way Kate ends her chapters with a special prayer. This chapter talked about being specific in prayer. Here is one that struck home with me.

 

Prayer

 

Father in heaven, I know Your Word is truth, and it guides me, inspires me, and delights me. Help me to share this truth with my child. Enable me to teach her that her gifts and talents come from You alone. Give me the tools to guide her to develop them to the full. I pray she will become a good steward of the gifts and talents You’ve given her. Teach me how to pray specifically for my child. I know You care deeply about every detail of my child’s life, and I trust You to show me how best to pray for her. I want to teach my child about You day in and day out so she knows You even better than I do. Help me to model to my child what I want her to become. Let me instill these words deeply into my child, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Growing Kids, by Kate Batistelli would be perfect for any parents-to-be, parents of young and old.. I highly recommend this book! Thank you, Kate. God bless you and your family.




Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

ICE CASTLE in Chicago!

Crazy "ICE CASTLE" from a big warehouse fire last night! You've seen burnt-out buildings before, but have you seen what "laying water" does to a building the next day in below freezing temperatures?

1/22/13 firefighters in Chicago responded to a factory fire on 37th/Ashland. It became a 5-11. Since it was 1 degree that night, this is what resulted the next day.. they were still putting water on it when we got there the next day. Later on that night, it rolled again.. Enjoy!

 

More photos can be viewed in my public album on facebook here: "Ice Castle" by Kara Leigh Photography